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For anyone modelling WW2 British and Allied vehicles, here is a relatively little known accessory.

The Tabby Infra Red Binoculars were used with vehicles, partly due to their bulk and the nature of the power supply.
In each side there is a vacuum tube, like a small cathode ray, and they require 3000 volts, this was from a power supply in the vehicle, running off its existing electrical system.
This pair retain good original wiring, but as usual are missing not only the plugs, but the elusive transformer too.

There was also a smaller monocular, which used a 3000v triple pile battery.

Here's some pics of the Binoculars, the acceptance label is dated August 1st 1944.

"Sarge ?"
"Yes trooper ?"
"You want me to strap this to my head ?"
"Yes trooper"
"And there's 3000 volts going to it ?"
"Yes trooper. It'll make you see in the dark"
"I'm not surprised Sarge!!

From the reports, a hopeless piece of kit. It came with a hinged support for the binos that attached to the vehicle, as the weight could not be supported by the operator's head alone. Drivers could move the binos up and down, but not sideways, so the field of vision was limited to straight ahead.

Even short usage made drivers develop motion sickness.

Mike

I haven't heard much about its operational use, but my intention is to get this set working.
With some help from a friend who restores radios, I have constructed a power supply that will be adequate and safe to attempt this. I am trying to find the rest of the system but this is proving a slow task. Some new old stock intensifier tubes came along recently, and the main lead is spark plug lead, so there is a chance.

Another of my many projects competing for attention, it hasn't had much priority of late, got some full size military vehicle fixing on at the moment!

Hi Robin,

If you go to the search screen in Recordsearch:

https://recordsearch.naa.gov.au/SearchN ... Items.aspx

.. and type 649327 into the Item Barcode box (7th box down from the top), it will bring up the Tabby test file entry. You could then request a copy of the file which has images of all the parts of the equipment, and the testing of it by the Australian Army. Not sure about the cost, probably an 'average' file size, so about $65 AUD.

What 1:1 MV are you working on?

Regards

Mike

Now we know why they were called 'Tabby' binoculars

Just hope that German soldier had made sure that the cat had a poo before he used it

Some interesting info coming out there thanks everyone. Will investigate the Australian archive thanks Mike.

Here is my full size toy =